After an emphatic 3-0 derby victory against Newport County in Sky Bet League Two, Bristol Rovers Captain Alfie Kilgour is glad to be back to winning ways.
With the two teams separated by just one point at the start of the day, Akhamrich was the difference in the first half, curling in a perfect shot from range into the top corner before bringing down Kilgour's pass and finishing for his second.
Newport were more responsive in the second half, with Jordan Wright saving a potential hat-trick from Yusuf Akhamrich and a chance from Harrison Biggins being shot too high, but Fabrizio Cavegn was able to secure the win with a late strike.
Speaking to BRTV after the match, Kilgour was pleased his side could claim their first league victory at The Mem since the end of September.
"It’s a good feeling and obviously a long time coming," he said. "So, yeah, an important win. It’s a special feeling and crazy to get back to winning ways.”
On the half-hour mark, Kilgour helped Akhamrich net his brace by playing the ball towards the eager winger, who raced forward and took a sensational touch before finding the back of the net with composure. The 20-year-old was the difference-maker, with Kilgour pleased to have him in the squad.
“He’s obviously been brilliant," said Kilgour. "In the week, in training, you can see he’s lively, you can see what he brings to us and it’s something different. I’m absolutely delighted for him.
“Obviously, young lad, coming out on loan. League Two football is tough, but he’s brilliant. He offers us something different, he’s quick, he’s direct and I’m super pleased for him and well-deserved.
“He’s a good lad. He’s confident, he’s polite and he’s hardworking. Which is what, as a teammate, that’s what you want to see. As a football club, they’re the sort of players that you want to get.
“Obviously, he’s come from a top club in Tottenham. He’s a great lad and he’s obviously a great footballer as well. I’m really pleased for him and long may it continue. We go again.”
As previously mentioned, Kilgour notched his fourth assist in 22 Sky Bet League Two outings with a wonderful switch over to Akhamrich, who still had plenty to do but completed the move with a fine finish.
Doubling the lead was always going to be important for the Gas to take control of the match, with Kilgour discussing what was going through his mind as he struck the ball.
“Yeah, I think earlier on in the game I played a few balls down the side to him and obviously it came out from Riley Harbottle from the throw-in, and I could see him making that run.
“We locked eyes and he did a good run and luckily my pass was spot on, and he got a second goal. But he still had a lot to do, he had a great first touch, a bit of composure, took it inside and a great finish. So, I’m absolutely delighted for him.”
The three goals will take the headlines, but Rovers also kept their first clean sheet in the fourth tier at The Mem for the first time since beating Cambridge United in August.
All defenders love stopping the opposition from scoring, and Kilgour is no different.
"The clean sheet is massive, and as a defender, you pride yourself on clean sheets," he said. "I know Paul Raynor and the gaffer have been drilling it into us. We're all back there, we're all doing our bit.
"It's not just the defenders or Brad Young in goal or Luke Southwood, it's everyone, it's a collective. A clean sheet is a good feeling, and as Raynor said in the team talk, it gives the lads a chance because if we go and get one goal or two goals and Fabrizio finishes it off. Personally, I love a clean sheet, and I can go home happy."
“I mean, we’re maybe a little bit off it in the second half, considering our first half performance, but if that’s the case, you need to stay tight, you need to stay compact, you need to talk, communicate to each other, you need to do a job and a half, covering round.
“Brad in goal there didn’t stop speaking, and we back there didn’t stop speaking. The wing-backs were working their socks off, and obviously Clint in midfield as well. What a shift he’s done over the last couple of games, and he’s an absolute credit to himself. It’s a collective, and it’s everyone in it together."
